Before The Flood

Towns work together to save future

With recent flooding around the country, towns and cities in highrisk areas need to begin assessing areas of need. The Towns of Clinton, Westbrook, and Old Saybrook along with the Borough of Fenwick, have come together to create the 4 Shore Resiliency Website to help them develop a Coastal Resiliency Plan with input from the local community.

These communities are located at the nexus of Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River, making them “highly vulnerable to the risks associated with climate change,” according to a press release on the subject. They note that the frequency of coastal storms, dangerous flooding, and irregular patterns have made preparation an absolute necessity.

Together, they applied for a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund which they ultimately received to develop the regional resiliency plan. According to the press release:

“A local Executive Committee comprised of representatives from Clinton, Westbrook, Old Saybrook, and Fenwick has been formed to guide and oversee the development of the regional Resiliency Plan, and a team of consultants (Colliers Engineering & Design and Anchor QEA) were recently hired to draft the Plan and provide technical expertise throughout the planning process. When complete, the Four Shore Coastal Resiliency Plan will include a comprehensive assessment of risks associated with sea level rise and future storm events, a shared vision for the future, and recommended strategies and projects to ensure the long-term sustainability and well-being of the local community and the surrounding region.”

The release notes that working together will allow them to tackle projects that will have broader benefits than outcomes possible with small-scale ones proposed by just one town, or even one property owner.

Ultimately, what makes this proj- ect different than a run-of-the-mill study is the website www.4ShoreResiliency.com, that seeks community input in the effort. The public can submit feedback, learn about upcoming events, and even use an interactive map “to identify community assets and show how flooding and erosion have impacted the local community.” This is one of the first steps in the process relies on the people who know their community best – the people who live, work and play in that area.

In addition to the website, the communities will be holding several in-person meetings.

It is said that the best time to start a project was 10 years ago, the second-best time is today. For those that saw the flooding from Vermont down to Connecticut over the past summer, it makes this old adage more immediate. Preserving our environment, our homes, the places where we work and play is going to be crucial in the face of unprecedented weather patterns. The 4 Shore Resiliency Plan shows the power in working together.